It's Day 2 of crazy rain in Chicago and although it sucks, a friend pointed out that it is better than snow. So I digress...
On top of it being another rainy day, there are only 19 days left to get my thesis done. As promised, I have worked on it every day like the "Finish Your Thesis in 15 Minutes a Day" book and another friend advised me. It's definitely moving along but more and more I see why people don't work and go to grad school at the same time.
I look forward to the day when I don't have t keep carrying it - and the 20 articles that support it - with me every day for those rare times when I'm stuck waiting for something and want to feel productive. It will be nice to have a "normal life" - whatever the hell that means.
Sitting at work and at home (working on said thesis) and in the car (driving to work or school) has definitely had an effect on the fact that I have not been getting as much exercise as I need/want. I was getting some good runs in once a week for a while but that came to sad halt when the thesis and sleep rose to the top of the list as the number one priority.
I know - I've read more books, magazines, websites, blogs, etc. that I can count that tell you that exercise must be a priority and you have to schedule it along with everything else on your calendar. Sounds good but not always ideal for me. This week, I have resumed my research on capoeira. (If you don't know what that is, click here to view a video)
No doubt intense, I think about studying it at least twice a year. No time is ever really a good time and it's quite evident that although I will be less busy at some point, I will always be busy to some extent. There is no better time than the present (I think) so I think I will pull the trigger and start this week!
Until then I will let you know how it goes - with the thesis and the capoeira.
Enjoy your Sunday,
S
Sometimes you are living the dream and you don't even know it. This blog is about my journey to fulfilling my dreams.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Chickpea: A Little Mediterranean Getaway
In sad celebration of my intern's last day, some colleagues and I took her out to lunch. At the request of a friend/colleague, we went to the new Mediterranean getaway: Chickpea.
My go-to Mediterranean place has always been Sultan's Market (the Wicker Park location). But as you know, while the food at Sultan's is amazing, the restaurant is somewhat small and parking can be tricky but it's a trade off for the eye candy who we affectionately named "Beirut."
Located near Chicago and Damen Avenue, finding parking on Chicago Avenue was fairly easy to do. Because it is so new, it doesn't have a sign yet so we just went in assuming that it had to be it. The decor is a mixture of Middle Eastern fixtures and retro movie/comic book posters. Interesting combination.
When we walked in, we were slightly confused because no one was there to show us to a table. The host told us we could sit where we liked and came over shortly thereafter to give us the lowdown: Chickpea is designed to be somewhat like your home, no waiters or waitresses because they want you to feel like a part of the process. You order at the counter, grab your silverware and beverage and reseat yourself.
Prices were not exorbitant and quite reasonable, approximately $10 per person. The menu contains a statement that says that the food is prepared by the owner's mother. We wondered if there really was a little Mediterranean lady in the kitchen cooking all of this food or was there a chef just making the food according to her recipes. Although we did not see her, my friend that had gone there before confirmed that in fact, his mother is the cook and she is the one that makes all of the food. Amazing!!!
The food was incredibly fresh with very crisp flavors. I ordered the Mufta sandwich which has beef and lamb, roasted vegetables and hummus. It was extremely good! However, when I tried to order a falafel on the side, to my disappointment they told me that they don't sell them a la carte (although they do at Sultan's). We ordered the falafel platter and shared it. The platter came with 6 falafel and a duo of sauces that were quite good. The hummus was wonderfully fresh and creamy. The only other disappointment was the lentil soup that my colleague ordered.
Of additional interest is the bathtub in the washroom - a clear indicator that the space was an apartment that was built into a restaurant. All in all, it was a great experience. I will definitely go back and I wish them luck!
Correction: They do have a sign - it was on the ground written in chalk. We noticed it when we left. I tried to take a picture but I couldn't capture it without casting a shadow over it.
My go-to Mediterranean place has always been Sultan's Market (the Wicker Park location). But as you know, while the food at Sultan's is amazing, the restaurant is somewhat small and parking can be tricky but it's a trade off for the eye candy who we affectionately named "Beirut."
Located near Chicago and Damen Avenue, finding parking on Chicago Avenue was fairly easy to do. Because it is so new, it doesn't have a sign yet so we just went in assuming that it had to be it. The decor is a mixture of Middle Eastern fixtures and retro movie/comic book posters. Interesting combination.
When we walked in, we were slightly confused because no one was there to show us to a table. The host told us we could sit where we liked and came over shortly thereafter to give us the lowdown: Chickpea is designed to be somewhat like your home, no waiters or waitresses because they want you to feel like a part of the process. You order at the counter, grab your silverware and beverage and reseat yourself.
Prices were not exorbitant and quite reasonable, approximately $10 per person. The menu contains a statement that says that the food is prepared by the owner's mother. We wondered if there really was a little Mediterranean lady in the kitchen cooking all of this food or was there a chef just making the food according to her recipes. Although we did not see her, my friend that had gone there before confirmed that in fact, his mother is the cook and she is the one that makes all of the food. Amazing!!!
The food was incredibly fresh with very crisp flavors. I ordered the Mufta sandwich which has beef and lamb, roasted vegetables and hummus. It was extremely good! However, when I tried to order a falafel on the side, to my disappointment they told me that they don't sell them a la carte (although they do at Sultan's). We ordered the falafel platter and shared it. The platter came with 6 falafel and a duo of sauces that were quite good. The hummus was wonderfully fresh and creamy. The only other disappointment was the lentil soup that my colleague ordered.
Of additional interest is the bathtub in the washroom - a clear indicator that the space was an apartment that was built into a restaurant. All in all, it was a great experience. I will definitely go back and I wish them luck!
Correction: They do have a sign - it was on the ground written in chalk. We noticed it when we left. I tried to take a picture but I couldn't capture it without casting a shadow over it.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
This is going to be like "Rocky"...Times 10
(Imagine the Rocky theme playing in the background for effect)
It's March 1st! Time for a new month and a new theme. I did some thinking and I think this month's theme will be "Determination."
With all that my life demands right now, I do actually get a lot done in an amazingly short amount of time. But sadly, it's truly crunch time. I'm so ready to graduate and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. People ask all the time, "When will you be done with school?" and I excitedly answer, "My thesis has to be done by April 1st so only a month or so. How exciting!" Well guess what, it's March 1st so I only have a month to get my thesis done!!
I've worked on it in spurts, here and there and even bought the "How to Get Your Thesis Done in 15 Minutes a Day" book. But now it's time for the rubber to meet the road. So today is the beginning of my 30 day countdown (all to culminate with a celebration at the end of the month of course!) to getting my thesis done.
I'll be asking all of you to keep me accountable and motivated and definitely, Determined!
Hasta manana,
S
It's March 1st! Time for a new month and a new theme. I did some thinking and I think this month's theme will be "Determination."
With all that my life demands right now, I do actually get a lot done in an amazingly short amount of time. But sadly, it's truly crunch time. I'm so ready to graduate and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. People ask all the time, "When will you be done with school?" and I excitedly answer, "My thesis has to be done by April 1st so only a month or so. How exciting!" Well guess what, it's March 1st so I only have a month to get my thesis done!!
I've worked on it in spurts, here and there and even bought the "How to Get Your Thesis Done in 15 Minutes a Day" book. But now it's time for the rubber to meet the road. So today is the beginning of my 30 day countdown (all to culminate with a celebration at the end of the month of course!) to getting my thesis done.
I'll be asking all of you to keep me accountable and motivated and definitely, Determined!
Hasta manana,
S
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